Pakistan's Air Force chief visits Sri Lanka

Pakistan Air Force chief Tahir Rafique Butt arrived in Sri Lanka Wednesday on a three-day visit at the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke.

Air Chief Marshal Butt will call on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and hold meetings with the country's top military leadership including Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the chiefs of security forces, Xinhua reported.

He will also hold discussions on matters of professional interests with his Sri Lankan counterpart Air Marshal Gunatilleke.

Butt's visit underscores the historic ties and friendly cooperation between the two countries, the High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo said in a release. "The visit will provide both sides an opportunity to review ongoing cooperation and collaboration, and to discuss ways to further broaden and deepen this relationship," it added.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have maintained close defence relations for decades and are key supporters of each other's policies in the international arena.